Kyle Christensen, an engineering teacher at the B.R. Johnson Career & Tech Center, has been named the Region 11 Secondary Teacher of the Year. With the honor, Christensen will represent the 77 school districts across 10 counties of Region 11 in the Texas Teacher of the Year competition. 

“Mr. Christensen is one of the many top teachers we have in Crowley ISD, and I am thrilled for him to be representing us and all of Region 11 in the Texas Teacher of the Year competition,” CISD Superintendent Dr. Michael D. McFarland said. “His passion for teaching engineering is giving our students the problem-solving skills and experience they need to be successful in college and the workforce of tomorrow.”

In order to compete in the regional competition, Christensen, who was CISD's 2017-18 Secondary Teacher of the Year, was required to submit his resume describing his educational history and professional development. In addition, he was asked to complete six lengthy essays detailing his professional biography, a defining lesson he developed, a special project or initiative he spearheaded, an example of how he connected students to their community, knowledge of educational issues and his message/platform should he be selected as the state teacher of the year.

A regional selection panel comprised of teachers (including past regional winners), assistant principals and central office staff from school districts within Region 11 reviewed and scored all of the essays before selecting Christensen as the regional winner. 

In addition, Crowley ISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year, Jennifer MacMurray, received a “best of category” essay award. MacMurray, a first-grade teacher at J.A. Hargrave Elementary School, is one of only six elementary teachers in Region 11 recognized for her essay on a defining lesson/unit. 

Crowley ISD is proud to have incredible educators such as Christensen and MacMurray in every school across our district.